Chapter 4, Outnumbered

"Green light go go!" The pilot said as we stepped out of the helicopter. I looked at the town it look like it seen battle before.

Buildings had holes in the walls, some of the buildings were crumbling and smoking. Some fires were going burning one small house to the ground. "Move up move up!" Sarge shouted as we ran into the town, I held my rifle tightly mentally preparing myself for a battle but instead I saw scared civilians.

Some of them were wounded, one man was holding his shoulder while blood slipped through the fingers. He was cringing in pain while a U.S Medic was trying to save him, I turn to look a weeping child trying to awaken their clearly dead parent.

I was just wondering what did these people went through.

I listen to Sarge talking to one of the soldiers, "You 6th Platoon?" He asked to which our Sergeant nodded "We're all of it til the cavalry arrives what's the situation?" Sarge asked.

"We got hit a few hours ago, I think a Battalion of NVA came at us and at least four tanks, we destroyed one and damaged another we manage to held out but requesting a pull out command told us they'll be sending some help"

"Boys gather around" Sarge called for us as we regrouped to him.

"Alright til our tanks arrive we need to hold off the enemy while our boys pull out with the civilians and wounded" Sarge told us, "Grab some ammo and dig in their going to come at us with an intent of killing us well it's not their lucky day"

We picked up some ammo and begin to prepare for the assault. I watched Bucky run into one of the buildings and used it for a Sniper nest.

Paul set up his machine gun on some flat debris while he lay on his belly with Marshall laying with him.

I stood behind a wall with Scully supporting me, I wasn't sure what was going to happen but I had to be prepared.

"Here they come!!" Sarge shouted as I listen to sound of gun firing. I peaked and seen the NVA charging towards us firing at us.

Paul was unloading his machine gun while shouting "Come on get some you commie bastards!" Kyle held helmet onto his tightly while ducking from shots.

I continue to peek and fired a few shots from my rifle, I was just blind firing unsure if I was even hitting anyone.

"Got one!" Bucky shouted from the house.

I ran with Scully to another piece of cover, a lone Soldier who wasn't even in our group I watch him get riddled with holes into him.

He didn't even get to scream before he dropped hard to the floor. The adrenaline I felt made me feel like I was 'In the Zone' something I heard other soldiers say.

Scully called for me then I followed him into a nearly destroyed house however we heard a NVA screaming.

Scully and I turn to see a NVA running at us with a bayonet fixed to his rifle however Scully fired his weapon which send the man over a table.

"You okay?" He asked me which I just gave a thumbs up, I couldn't even speak after that Charlie ran at us.

I looked out a window then broke it with my rifle butt and used my iron sights and fire.

This time I watch a NVA soldier head flip up before hitting his chest before tumbling into the ground. I just killed my second Charlie and once again I felt calm, I aimed down my sights and fire again.

My eyes widen once I saw the tank, it rolled down the road with the other NVAs. It fired it's machine gun while Charlie continue to attack the town.

"Come on!" Scully pulled my arm as we ran out into the streets regrouping with Sarge.

"Fuck! that tank is going to kill us...Private you got any charges left?" Sarge asked me "One left sir"

"Okay when I pop some smoke I want you to set the charge and blow that tank to Hell!" Sarge ordered then pulled his Smoke grenade from his vest. We watch as their tank rolled into the town causing Paul and Kyle to run into a nearby run down school for cover.

Sarge pulled the pin and threw his smoke grenade. Once it popped and released white smoke Sarge gave me a shove which I ran out holding a charge in one hand and my revolver in the other.

At first thought I was scared of running up and close to the enemy but I was so focused on finishing my task Sarge gave me.

Once I got close to the tank I place the charge onto it and ran back shouting "Charge set!"

"Blow it!" Sarge said as I hit the trigger, the charge went making the tank's rear explode and catch on fire.

I honestly pity the poor bastards inside of the tank. The enemy begin to run from the tank as we continue to fire til told to hold fire.

"Their falling back" Bucky said, "Running like a bunch of whipped dogs" Paul said laughing.

Sarge was changing his mag and said "Their not retreating their regrouping their preparing for a final assault get ready their coming with full force time"

And Sarge was right Charlie came back for their final charge, Paul return firing his M60 while I stood by him firing my Carbine.

I continue firing then reload and fire again it became a dance.

Fire, reload, fire, reload, fire and reload.

Suddenly an explosion went off near us sending dirty and debris at us. "Shit!" I cursed wiping my eyes from the dirt from my view.

"They got mortars or something!" Kyle shouted firing his weapon. "Call HQ tell them where's the damn tanks!" Sarge ordered.

Kyle held the radio and contacted base "Golf to base! come in base!" "This is base, Go ahead Golf"

"Base we for a heavy attack on the town, we knocked out an enemy tank but we have enemy mortars shelling us where are the tanks?" "Tanks are a few clicks away ETA Seven minutes"

"Sarge! ETA SEVEN MINUTES!" Kyle had to yell over the explosions and bullets whizzing through the air.

"We'll be dead within that time! Private! I want you, Scully and Marshall to take out those mortars!" Sarge shouted as we went around the town using the buildings as cover and concealment.

We ran through the trees and found the enemy mortars. Scully begin to slam fire his Shotgun killing two of the NVA mortar crew members.

Just as the others ran for their weapons Marshall and I fire into them and thus clearing the mortar crew.

Scully tossed a grenade at the mortars while we ran back. I listen to the explosion to be honest it's good he destroyed the mortars don't use them again.

When we came back our tanks arrived along with reinforcements. The NVA retreated this time for good, I sat down removing my helmet rubbing my eyes while I sip my canteen.

"Hey Tony!" A voice called to me, I know one person who calls me that I look up to see Jamie.

He was carrying a M16 equiped with a grenade launcher attachment, his uniform looked to be dirty and mostly coming off.

His helmet had tally marks on them, "Jamie?" I asked then he grinned "I knew I see you here" He pulled me to my feet.

I actually laughed not only did I just survived a battle but I met my friend Jamie from boot camp again.

"Come on we got alot of catching up to do" He says while laughing.

"I can't wait to write about this back home" I said with a smile.